Robots Get a Sense of Touch: How Robotiq’s New Tactile Fingertips Are Advancing Physical AI
A Breakthrough in Robot Sensory Intelligence
On January 27, 2026, Robotiq announced a major advancement in robotic manipulation with the launch of TSF‑85 tactile sensor fingertips for its widely used 2F‑85 Adaptive Grippers, bringing a critical sense of touch to non‑human workers and Physical AI systems. This development adds nuanced physical awareness to robot grippers — something conventional vision systems alone cannot achieve — enabling robots to feel, adapt, and interact with objects more reliably in dynamic environments.
The New Tactile Fingertips Explained
- Robotiq has integrated high‑frequency tactile sensing directly into the fingertips of its 2F‑85 gripper, giving robots data about contact force, micro‑vibration, and orientation — much like fingertips in humans.
- The TSF‑85 sensors include a grid of sensitive elements (“taxels”), slip detection at 1000 Hz, and proprioceptive monitoring via an IMU, which collectively improve how robots perceive contact and grip stability.
- These tactile fingertips work with Robotiq’s adaptive grasping design to allow robots to generalize manipulation across many object types and tasks — a step closer to real‑world, flexible AI Employees.
Why It Matters: Impact on Non‑Human Workers and Physical AI
This update is significant because robots traditionally rely on cameras and vision systems that struggle with real‑world physical interactions; tactile feedback fills a crucial gap for nuanced control. Adding touch enables more robust Voice AI Agents and automation systems to handle delicate or unpredictable tasks without constant human oversight.
- Enhanced manipulation and slip detection reduce errors in tasks such as packaging, part handling, and assembly.
- The design supports scalable deployment across robot brands and research platforms using standard communication interfaces, making it practical for industry rollouts.
- Because these sensors are purpose‑built and durable compared to fragile custom tactile hands, they lower both cost and integration complexity for industrial and lab systems.
Broader Context: Physical AI and the Future
This move reflects a broader industry trend toward Physical AI, where robots not only plan and see but also feel and act with greater autonomy — a critical capability for reliable automation in manufacturing and service roles. Robotiq’s tactile fingertips are part of a larger ecosystem of components designed to teach robots to interact with the physical world as humans do, bridging the gap between digital intelligence and real‑world performance.
Key Highlights:
- Robotiq launched TSF‑85 tactile sensor fingertips for its 2F‑85 Adaptive Grippers on Jan. 27, 2026.
- Tactile sensing gives robots contact awareness, slip detection, and proprioception beyond vision.
- Enhanced touch improves robot manipulation, generalization, and reliability for Physical AI tasks.
- Scalable, industrial‑ready design lowers cost and simplifies integration with robot fleets.
Reference:
https://www.therobotreport.com/robotiq-brings-sense-touch-physical-ai-fingertips-2f-grippers/
